Some of the reasons include allowing a male to inseminate a much larger number of females, to allow use of genetic material from males separated by distance or time, to overcome physical breeding difficulties, and to avoid the need to keep a male at all.

On fertiliser, Gawuna said the gap between farmers and middle men had been bridged by the government.

According to him, fertiliser is a component that will solve 50 per cent of the challenges faced by farmers in the country.

The commissioner said the state had committed N500 million to the revival of its fertiliser blending company known as CASCO, which had been moribund over the years.

According to him, the aim is to ensure the production of affordable fertilizer all year round to encourage farmers to produce more.

Gawuna said the government was also sourcing improved and quality seeds for farmers to enable them to improve production.

The commissioner stated that the state government in collaboration with different international organisations has also trained 749 youths in extension services to sensitise rural farmers to sound agronomic practices.

He assured farmers that the state government is determined to provide all the necessary inputs required to boost agricultural production in the state.